For those of you who feel overwhelmed right now, I can identify. For those of you who are concerned about a loved one’s health or spirit, I can identify. For those of you who have a deep-seated problem to solve right this minute, I can identify. For those concerned about chaos and struggles, I can identify. For those of you with a sense of time running out for a solution, I can identify. For those of you suffering sleeplessness and the unrest it gives our souls, I can identify. And for those of you who yearn for the balm in Gilead, for assurance that it is well with our souls, I can identify. And for those of us, not just you, who know the source of our strength, the Rock of our salvation, the Source of all knowledge, the salve for every wound, and the One who knows us best and sees the big picture while we seek to see answers, I can identify.
When I wrote this psalm, I knew the day would come when I needed to read it–when I needed to pray it–when I knew I had a problem too big to solve on my own and had no one else to call upon to help me, I must have needed to read–indeed to pray–each word of wisdom God gave me for such a time as this.
While I try each day to be an encourager to others, and when my smile is easy on my countenance, and when I hug those who are hurting, and when I seek to console, right now my spirit is struggling. Can you identify? Do you know how difficult sleep deprivation is, when exhaustion is present, and when the weight of circumstances threatens to undo all the triumphs that seemed ordinary, and all the solutions seemed easy?
Today, I’m praying this prayer of intercession with every cell and synapse and every hope of its comfort to my body and my soul. Today, I need the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my path and calm my mind and give me strength. Will you join with me in intercession for those, like me, who need these words and bow at our Master’s feet? For indeed, He will lead us through the valley of death, He will find us the green pastures, He knows where the still waters are that will calm of spirits, and He surely knows we will dwell in His presence forever when the struggles of this life are over. God bless us, and help us to rejoice at the expectation of the answers He will bring, even today.
MY PSALM 316 INTERCESSION
You are Mighty, Powerful, Omniscient and Omnipresent.
Thank you for governing my waking and sleeping.
In the silent recess of nighttime, You wake me to prayer.
Thank You for the silence which brings to mind
The names of those who need intercession.
You know their needs before I do, better than they do.
I pray Your Divine touch on each organ,
Even each rebel rogue cell.
Bring balance and strength and restore health.
For those troubled, I pray your calming spirit,
And the needed answers according to Your will.
For those in strained relationships,
I pray the look of love and forgiveness, just as You love us.
For those overwhelmed and anxious about situations,
I pray calm, clear direction, and Your lifting of burdens,
According to Your purposes in their life-walk with You.
You, Father God, have promised to be near us,
Utterly within us with Your Spirit.
I thank you expectantly for the changes in people’s lives,
Your Divine guidance and blessing, answers to prayer.
Just as You direct the paths of Your world,
Lord Jesus, be the intercessor
For those I lift up to Your throne.
Holy Spirit, bring direction and guidance,
The means of grace, evidences of Your compassion, mercy.
We rejoice even now
At the miraculous answers to prayers
You’ve taught us to expect.
For You alone, Triune God, are worthy of praise
And our very present help in times of trouble.
In times of trouble, our trust is in Your Name,
And our eternal gratitude belongs to You
For looking upon Your children with a Father’s love.
You hear our prayers as the sweet aroma of incense,
So let my prayer ascend to Your throne. Amen.
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